Stem cells are vital to the health of a human body, and scientists are now finding that meditation might increase a body's stem cell count.

In On Being's recent program "Stem Cells, Untold Stories," Krista Tippett speaks with Doris Taylor, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Repair at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, about the captivating world of stem cell science and medicine.

After hearing about studies involving Matthieu Ricard, in which his brainwaves were monitored during meditation, Taylor wanted to see what effect meditation would have on a person's stem cell count. She describes a test that she did with Ricard in which she found that just 15 minutes of meditation brought a huge increase to the amount of stem cells in his blood.

To listen to Taylor talk about her findings, start the On Beinginterview about 30 minutes in.